Page 39 of Wild Oblivion
What was I going to do, bust both of them? We had a non-interference policy around the warehouse. We didn't need to make enemies around here. JD and I were Special Crimes—and there was nothing special about someone smoking a joint.
I grabbed the door, and the entourage entered the dim hallway and shuffled down the corridor to the practice room.
Dizzy, Styxx, and Crash noodled around on their instruments. We introduced them to Henrik and Giselle. I handed our guests foam earplugs. "It gets pretty loud around here.”
The two plugged their ears and took a seat on the couch.
Jack did a brief vocal warm-up, then the band broke intoLipstick & Landmines. A wall of sound filled the room. The bass boomed and the kick drum thumped. It was loud enough to vibrate your insides.
Blazed out of his mind, Henrik had an ear-to-ear grin as the band rocked out a list of favorites.
Afterward, Jack treated everyone to dinner at the Five Fathoms. We chowed down on surf and turf and filled our bellies. Henrik had a serious case of the munchies.
We enjoyed appetizers and sipped on cocktails. Henrik entertained the table with stories from yesteryear. He came alive in a setting like this. With an eager audience, he held court. I don’t think he had enjoyed this much social interaction in years.
Chatter filled the restaurant, and the smell of delightful entrées wafted through the air—grilled meat, spices, sweet sauces, and sinful desserts.
After we finished our soups and salads, the waiter delivered piping hot entrées. Everything looked good. Everything at this restaurantwasgood.
"Well, well, well, would you look at that," JD said. He nudged my elbow and nodded across the dining room. "Isn’t that Emily's boyfriend, Ashton?"
In a booth against the far wall, Ashton sat across the table from a gorgeous brunette. Her raven hair danced in waves past her shoulders. Even at this distance, her stunning eyes captivated. She batted her long lashes at him, and the two doted on each other. This was more than a casual business meeting. That was confirmed when he reached across the table and clasped her hand. If I didn't know better, I'd say they had an ongoing relationship.
"What a douchebag," Jack muttered. "Think Emily has any clue?”
"I don't think she'd be the type to put up with it if she did."
It wasn't any of my business, and I knew from experience that people often shoot the messenger.
"Are you going to tell Emily?" JD asked.
"Not my circus." I paused. "Maybe there's a legitimate reason they are together. Maybe it's not how it looks."
Jack gave me a flat look. It was exactly how it looked.
I went back to my meal and cut into my tender and juicy steak. It was cooked to perfection. My taste buds exploded with happiness as I took a bite.
I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder from time to time to steal a look at the two to see how their date was progressing. It wasn't long after that when they leaned across the table for a kiss. Their lips met for an instant, and they both smiled afterward. This wasn’t the first date. You didn't need to be a detective to see that.
I tried to ignore it, but I felt bad for Emily.
“I don’t think I’ve seen him eat that much in years,” Giselle said after Henrik put down a 10-ounce filet, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach. He had plenty of room left for dessert and demolished a tower of chocolate cake.
Henrik smiled, talked, and had a good time.
“I told you this would be good for him,” JD muttered. “Stay in a place like the Bed Sores, and even a healthy person might lose the will to live.”
Jack picked up the tab, and Giselle drove us back to theAvventurawhile the rest of the guys hit Oyster Avenue. She dropped us off at the dock.
“I’ve got an early flight out tomorrow. Are you sure you don’t mind doing this?”
“Not a problem,” I said.
“I’ll be back in two days. You know how to get in touch if you need anything. If I’m out of touch, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” She looked at Henrik in the back seat with Jack. “You behave for the deputies.“
He dismissed her admonition, then opened his door.
Jack hopped out and hustled around to help him.